Ornamental brick



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES ANDERSON, OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS.

ORNAMENTAL BRICK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 407,145, dated July 16, 1889. Application filed August 6, 1887. Renewed November 26, 1888- fierial No. 291,930- (No Specimens.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES (J. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Highland Park, in the county of Lake and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ornamental Bricks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the manufacture of ornamental bricks for architectural and other purposes; and the object of my invention is to produce bricks of a highly ornamental character having the main body to present the appearance and character of copper, showing the actual dross of the metal upon the surface thereof in the form of spots Or splotches.

My invention consists of a brick composed of clay and small particles of metallic copper mixed with the clay, the copper being fused in the burning of the brick and leaving the dross in the form of spots or splotches on the surface of the brick, while the main body assumes the color of the copper.

In carrying out my invention and to pro duce the best results a pure clay is used in which there is none or practically none of the metallic oxides, and which in its natural state will burn to a white or slightly buff color. The clay is reduced to a fine dry powdered condition by any suitable mechanical means, and to each one hundred (100) parts I add about five (5) parts of metallic copper in a [inely divided or c'omminuted condition in the form of coarse filings or sawings or fine chippings and intimately mix the same with the previous]y-prepared clay powder, so as to form a homogeneous mass. The clay and finely-divided metallic copper thus prepared are submitted to an intense pressure while in a dry state in suit-able molds to bring to the desired form and to eliminate the air therefrom. The bricks, blocks, or other shapes thus formed are now placed in a suitable kiln and fired to a degree of heat which will burn the brick to the desired hardness and fuse the metal, causing it to impart its color to the main body of the brick and at the same time deposit the dross of the metal on the surface of the brick in the shape of spots or blotches.

The different shades of color in the main body of the brick may be varied by changing the proportions of the com niinuted copper mixed with the clay, or other color effects may be obtained by using a small portion of suitable metallic oxides in a finely-powdered condition thoroughly incorporated with the clay in a dry state, as described in my patent, No. 262,339, of August 8, 1882, before mixing the clay mass with'thc finely-divided copper.

In bricks produced by this method the main body will be found to possess the same characteristics, color, texture, &c., as rolled sheets of metallic copper, with the addition of numerous spots and blisters appearing on the surface of the same, giving it a mottled and highly-artistic appearance.

The metals are not oxidized, but fused o within the clay body in the metallic state by the burning process and remain in said bodies as metals. The color imparted to the brick does not exhibit the color of the oxide of the metal, but the color of the metal itself and the melted dresses of the metal, which metal colors and dresses go to make up the distinctive character of the brick claimed.

I am aware that it is not new to use the oxides of metal to give color to brick, and such I do not claim.

In an application filed by me December 31, 1888, Serial No. 294,305, I have claimed the composition from which the bricks are made.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is A brick or block the main body color of which is of copper and the surface thereof spotted or splotched with the dress of the metal contained therein, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I al'iix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J. O. ANDERSON.

Vitnesses:

J. C. CUsHMAN, JNo. D. ONDERDONK. 

